Steering apparatus for ships



Feb. 21, 1950 w. a. ROMMEL STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS Filed Dec. 5,'1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v. h n m n 3 WILLIAM G. ROMMEL (Ittomeg- Feb. 21,1950 w. G. ROMMEL 2,498,223

STEERING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS Filed Dec. 5, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Zmnentor WILLIAM G. ROMMEL (lttomeg Patented Feb. 21, 1950 STEERINGAPPARATUS FOR SHIPS William G. Rommel, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor toThe Garrett Corporation, Airesearch Manufacturing Company division, LosAngeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application December 5,1944, Serial No. 566,68

7 Claims.

This invention relates to the steering of marine vessels. One of theobjects of the invention is to provide apparatus which is adapted toautomatically maintain the boat on a straight line course withoutattention by a pilot. Another object is to provide steering apparatusincludin means for manually controlling turning movements of the boat,coupled with means for automatically maintaining the boat on a straightline course after a desired direction has been established.

A further object of the invention is to provide electrically poweredmechanism for moving the -rudder of a boat, together with means Operableby a pilot at one or more control stations on the boat, for controllingsuch powered mechanism.

A further object is to provide steering control mechanism for a boat,including a portable control device which may be carried by a pilot toany part of the boat and utilized at any time for controlling thesteering operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide boat steering apparatusincluding means whereby the boat may be steered under manual power,coordinated with means whereby the boat may be steered underelectro-motive power. It is contemplated that such electro-motive powermay be controlled either manually or by a combination of manual controlfor turning and automatic control for maintaining the ship on a straightcourse when such course has been established.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved steeringapparatus for boats including a reversible electrically operated powerdevice for moving the rudder of the boat and gyropilot mechanismincluding a pair of contacts fixed to the boat for movement therewithand included in a pair of circuits for operating said electricallyoperated means in opposite directions, and a contact carried by agyroscope, positioned between said pair of contacts and adapted toengage one or the other in accordance with any deviation of the shipfrom a straight line course, so as to restore the ship to a straightlinecourse.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out inthe following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a boat embodying the invention;

Fig. 2. is a schematic diagram of the steering apparatus of myinvention;

Fig. 3 is 'a side elevation of the gyro-pilot device;

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of the boat steering apparatusembodying a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view of the clutch of the mechanism shownin Fig. 4, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a modified portion of themechanism shown in Fig. 4.

As an example of one form in which the invention may be embodied, I haveshown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the steering apparatus of a boat I includinga deck il, a cockpit l2, and a rudder l3. To the rudder post I4 issecured an operating arm I5 which receives movement from a threadedshaft l6 forming part of a screw jack H. The screw jack l1 includes areversible electric motor I8 and an internally threaded sleeve l9 driventhereby, the shaft l6 being threaded into the sleeve l9 and beingadapted to be extended or retracted, depending upon the direction ofrotation of the motor IS.

The screw jack i1 is illustrated as one form of the electro-motivedevice for moving the rudder l3. It is to be understood that theinvention contemplates the use of any two-way electrically operateddevice. For example, a reversible motor could be connected by means ofchains and sprockets to the rudder post l4 through worm gearing, asshown in Fig. 4.

The field coils and 2| of the motor l8 form part of a pair of energizingcircuits including, respectively, conductors 22 and 23, branchconductors 24 and 25, and switch contacts 26 and 21 connected to theconductors 24 and 2-5, the contacts 26 and 21 forming part of a manualover-control switch indicated generally at 28. The switch 28 includes amanually operable switch arm 29 which is connected to a source of power33 and adapted to engage either the contact 26 or the contact 21 so asto complete a circuit through the conductor 22 or the conductor 23respectively to the field coil 20 or the field coil 2| of the motor ii,to operate the latter in either of its directions of rotations.

A gyropilot mechanism to automatically maintain the ship on a straightline course is indicated generally at 3|. Such gyro-pilot mechanismincludes a pair of contacts 32 and 33 respectively connected to therespective conductors 22 and 23, and a contact 34 disposed between thecontacts 32 and 33 and carried by an arm 35 on a gyroscope 38 which isadapted to maintain a fixed course in a horizontal direction,

so that in the event of deviation of the boat from said fixed-course,one of the contacts 32, 33, will engage the contact 34. Such engagementwill establish an energizing circuit from the power source 33 throughthe switch arm 23 and an automatic" control contact 31 and a conductor33 through either the conductor 22 or 23, depending on which of thecontacts 32, 33, has been engaged, whereby to energize the motor l3 inthe proper direction to restore the ship to the fixed course.

The gyroscope 33 includes a fly wheel member 33 having ashaft 43 mountedin bearings 4| on a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of thecourse to be maintained, bearings 4| being part of the frame 42 on whichthe arm 35 is mounted. A motor 43, which may also be carried by theframe 42, provides the power for maintaining the spinning of thefiywheel 33. The frame 42 has trunnions 44 mounted, on a vertical axis, inbearings 45 forming part of a bracket 43 which is suitably supportedupon a base member 41. The trunnions 44 are adapted the bracket 43attached to the base 41, deviate to I one side or the other from saidfixed course.

The manual over-control device 23, shown schematically in Fig. 2,constitutes one of several manual control stations, other such stationsbeing indicated at 23a, and 23b, in Fig. 1. The control stations 23a and28b are fixed stations, while the control station 23 comprises aportable switch box on the end of an extension cable 43, the cable 43having three conductors connected to the conductors 24, 25, and 33 asshown.

By employing the portable control station 23, the operator may controlthe steering of the boat from any position on the deck of the boat orwithin the cockpit l2,'as may be desired.

In the operation of the steering apparatus, the switch arm 23 will benormally connected to the contact 31 so as to provide for automaticsteering. When it is desired to change the course of the boat, the pilotmoves the switch arm 23 to the contact 23 or 21, depending upon thedirection in which he desires to turn, and maintains it in that positionuntil the new course is established. The contacts 32 and 33, actingthrough the contact 34 and the arm 35, are adapted to forcibly shift thegyroscope 33 into the new course. When the course has been established,

. the pilot shifts the contact arm 23 back to the automatic control"contact 31, so as to restore the control to the gyro pilot mechanism,which will thereafter maintain the ship on the new course thusestablished.

In the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 4, I provide for thetransmission of manual steering power to the rudder l3 from a steerinwheel or tiller 31. The steering wheel 31 is geared through a bevelpinion and crown 33, to a shaft 43 which is geared to the rudder l3 asby means of a worm 53 on the shaft 43 meshing with a worm gear 5| on therudder post l4.

Alternative power operated steering means is provided in the form of areversible electro-motive unit 13 having a driven shaft 52 carrying asprocket 53 which drives a chain 54. The chain 54 in turn drives asprocket 55 mounted on a dog clutch member 53 which is slidable andfreely rotatable on the shaft 43 when disengaged from a mating dogclutch member 51 which is pinned to the shaft 43. The clutch member 53is shifted by a lever 53 which has a fork 53 engaging a clutch collar 33carried by the clutch member 53.

The clutch dogs 3| of the clutch element .51 are adapted to engage inrecesses 32 in the clutch member 53, the recesses 32 being disposed outof diametrical alignment and the dogs 3| being correspondinglypositioned, so that the clutch may become engaged in only one relativeposition of its members within a three hundred and sixty degree are.This. preserves the proper relationship between the shaft 43 and arm 33which contacts and operates to open one. or the other of normally closedlimit switches 33 to de-energize the electro-motive device 10 when therudder has been moved to a predetermined limit of swing in eitherdirection respectively. A two-way portable switch 34, operable from anyposition on the deck of the boat, may be employed for establishingcircuits through the respective conductors 35. and 33 to the reversibleactuating device 13.

As a modification of the idea shown in Fig. 4, the two-way portableswitch 34 may be omitted and the conductors and 33 may be connected tothe conductors 22 and 23 of a controlcircuit,

including a gyro-pilot control 3| and a manual over-control device 28,as shown in Fig. 6.

I claim as my invention:

1. Steering apparatus for controlling the movement of a ship rudder,comprising: power means including an electrically operated means formoving'said rudder in both of its directions of movement, and means forcontrollably energizing said electrically operated means, including asource of power, a pair of conductors for conducting current to therespective field coils of said electrically operated means, a gyroscopehaving a vertical plane of rotation and mounted for turning movementwith reference to the ship on a vertical axis, a contact carried by saidgyroscope, a pair of contacts, one on either side of said gyroscopecarried contact, and each connected to one of said conductors, and amanual overcontrol switch comprising a switch arm connected to saidsource of electric power and a plurality of electric contacts,engageable by said switch arm, one of said contacts being connected tosaid gyroscope carried contact and adapted,

' when engaged by said switch arm, to establish an automatic controlcircuit for said electrically operated means, and the other of said overcontrol contacts being connected respectively to said two conductors soas to provide for manual control of the operation of said electricallyoperated means in either direction, overriding said automatic control.

2. Steering apparatus for controlling the movement of a ship ruder,comprising: power means including an electrically operated means formoving said rudder in both of its directions of movement, and gyro-pilotmeans for controlling the operation of said electrically operated meansin a manner to maintain the ship on a straight-line course, saidgyro-pilot means comprising a gyroscope having a vertical plane ofrotation and mounted for rotating movement around a vertical axis withreference to the ship, a contact carried by said gyroscope, contactsconnected to the ship for movement therewith and arranged one on either.slde of said gyroscope carried contact, said pair of contacts formingparts of a pair of circuits for operating said electrically operatedmeans in opposite directions, and a source of electric power forenergizing said circuits, whereby deviation of the ship from astraight-line course will cause one of said pair of contacts to bearagainst said gyroscope carried contact and close a circuit to saidelectricall operated means to actuate said rudder to right the ship.

3. Steering apparatus for controlling rudder movement, including: apower transmitting shaft having a driving connection with said rudder;means for transmitting manual power to said shaft; electrically operatedmeans for driving said shaft, said electrically operated means beingoperable in opposite directions; limit switches for opening theenerg'ming circuits of the electrical means at limits of movement insaid opposite directions; power transmitting means including a clutchfor connecting said power means to said shaft or disconnecting saidpower means from said shaft; and means whereby said clutch is adapted toengage at only one position within 360 of relative rotation of itsmembers in order to preserve the proper operational relationship betweensaid limit switches and said shaft.

4. Steering apparatus for controlling the movement of a ship rudder,comprising: power means including an electrically operated means formoving said rudder in both of its directions of movement, and gyro-pilotmeans for controlling the operation of said electrically operated meansin a manner to maintain the ship on a straight-line course, saidgyro-pilot means comprising a gyroscope having a vertical plane ofrotation and mounted for rotating movement around a vertical axis withreference to the ship; a contact carried by said gyroscope; contactsconnected to the ship for movement therewith and arranged one on eitherside of said gyroscope carried contact, said pair of contacts formingparts of a pair of circuits for operating said electrically operatedmeans in opposite directions; a source of electric power for energizingsaid circuits, whereby deviation of the ship from a straightline coursewill cause one of said pair of contacts to bear against said gyroscopecarried contact and close a circuit to said electrically operated meansto actuate said rudder to right the ship; and portable over-ridemechanism for controlling the operation of said electrically operatedmeans to effect turning movement of the boat.

5. In a gyro-pilot means for controlling the operation of reversibleelectrically operated means, comprising: a gyroscope having a verticalplane of rotation and mounted for rotative movement around a verticalaxis with reference to a vehicle on which it is mounted; a contactcarried by said gyroscope; and contacts arranged on either side of saidgyroscope carried contact and adapted to form parts of a pair ofcircuits for said electrically operated means, said pair of contactsbeing adapted to move with the above mentioned vehicle with respect tothe gyroscope.

6. In steering apparatus for controlling rudder a power transmittingshaft having a driven connection with said rudder; means fortransmitting manual power to said shaft; electrically operated powermeans for driving said shaft; and power transmitting means, including aclutch, for connecting said power means to said shaft or disconnectingsaid power means from said shaft, said clutch having members arranged toengage at only one position within 360 of relative rotation of itsmembers.

7. In steering apparatus for controlling the movement of a ship rudder,comprising: a power transmittin shaft having a driving connection withsaid rudder; means for transmitting manual power to said shaft;electrically operated power means for driving said shaft, saidelectrically operated means being operable in opposite directions; limitswitches for opening the energizing circuits of said electricallyoperated means at limits of movement in opposite directions; powertransmitting means, inauding a clutch, for connecting said power meansto said shaft or disconnecting said power means from said shaft; meanswhereby said clutch is adapted to engage at only one position within 360of relative rotation of its members in order to preserve the properoperational relationship between said limit switches and said shaft;gyro-pilot means for controlling the operation of said electricallyoperated means in a manner to maintain the ship on a straight linecourse, said gyro-pilot means comprising a gyroscope having a verticalplane of rotation and mounted for rotative movement around a verticalaxis with reference to the ship; a contact carried by said gyroscope;contacts connected to the ship for movement therewith and arranged oneon either side of said gyroscope carried contact, said pairs of contactsforming parts of a pair of circuits for operating said electricallyoperated means in opposite directions; and a source of electric powerfor energizing said circuits, whereby deviation of the ship from astraight-line course will cause one of said pair. of contacts to bearagainst said gyroscope carried contact and close a circuit to saidelectrically operated means to actuate said rudder to right the courseof the ship.

0 WILLIAM G. ROMMEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,939,775 Holmes Dec. 19, 19331,993,551 Holmes Mar. 5, 1935 2,045,775 Hodgman June 30, 1936 2,105,513Chance Dec. 14, 1937 2,373,144 Saul Apr. 10, 1945

